If you had a sibling, or more than one child, you’d be familiar with the tendency of brothers and sisters to try to outdo each other. Sometimes this is a bid for parental attention and approval, and at others it can be put down to plain old competitiveness. Parents the world over have been irritated and amused as their children vie for ‘top dog’ status.

Can You Do This? brings such situations to life, with a younger brother performing all sorts of antics to impress his older brother, who dismisses him each time with a casual wave, wink, laugh, or ‘too easy’.

The illustrations are in bright, bold colours; the brothers are depicted as mice, though other animals appear in scenes throughout.

The feats of the little brother become more and more daring and skilful, and the punchline comes in a laugh-out-loud moment on the final page.

The moral of the story is ‘Don’t believe everything you’re told’ which feels especially relevant just now!

Can You Do This? is a fun, light hearted look at sibling rivalry that children – and parents – will enjoy.

Can You Do This? is published by HarperCollins Children’s Books in February 2021
My thanks to the publishers for a copy to read and review.